Like humans, snakes can go blind. Unlike humans, they cannot hold canes to find their way. Instead, they have developed a form of short-range precognition which they use for hunting.
Tag Archives: Phoenix Zoo – Phoenix
Dragonfly
Many people claim to appreciate dragonflies but they do no actual work, do not get along with other dragonflies other than trying to mate with them, take breaks in light to show themselves off to the world (sometimes flapping their wings to draw attention to themselves) and they’ve been doing it since before you were born.
Dragonflies are the ultimate hipsters.
Prairie Dog performing Macbeth
“You lack the season of all natures, sleep.”
Ground Squirrel
After transporting to the abandoned planet and removing his shirt, Captain Kirk looks for rocks from which to make implausibly explosive chemicals and defend himself from the native lizards.
Ibis
What’s black and white and everything all over?
Prairie Dog performing Macbeth
“All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.”
Prickly Gecko (Heteronotia binoei)
The prickly gecko is preferred by novice lizard climbers due to the abundant handholds. As climbers improve, they may choose to work their way up to skinks and glass lizards.
Siamang
This is one of those a classic “animals in zoos are sad” photos. Apes and monkeys are easy for humans to empathize with, and seeing one in a cage is hard to see without thinking of how it would feel for ourselves to be in a similar situation. It is very easy for articles to use photographs like this to illustrate their “get rid of all the zoos” articles.
This siamang was in the cage for ten whole minutes. They are trained to go into the cage so the keeper can get onto the island and keep things clean. I watched him row is boat over, reward the ape for getting into the cage, then walk the island picking up the litter that had fallen into the water and washed up to the shore. Before and after the visit, the siamangs were happily cavorting on their ropes and swinging all over the island. It would be nice to see them living happily in their native forests, but so long as humans continue to consume palm oil and coffee, that will not be an option.
For now, they’re living as happy lives as the world allows. Much like the rest of us, really.
Saharan Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes)
When the wind blows, small differences in the sand particles cause it to aggregate and form structures like large looming dunes, small little ripples and, when the conditions are just right, snakes.
Prairie Dog performing Romeo and Juliet
“Then, window, let day in, and let life out.”
“Farewell, farewell! one kiss, and I’ll descend.”
Turtle
And lo, on the seventh hour of the seventh night did the turtle rise from the depths. Though many had failed, and died in the effort, the fallen star was raised and light returned to the dusky lands.
Web Footed Gecko (Pachydactylus rangei)
The web-footed gecko, also known as the trap-door gecko uses its feet to create the webbing that hinges the trapdoor to the ground. Then, when it senses prey nearby, will pop up the door to grab dinner.
Zoo Sign
… six pence.